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The Curse of The Mummies


"New or highly speculative ideas are particularly encouraged,"-
phamocognosy list.
A deathly silence was heard
Don't want to injure one's promotion prospects
But:

Last week a television show was aired on our SBS public television. I
recommend the show if you can see it
It made  a case for the ancient use of cocaine and nicotine in the embarming
process  (perhaps).
I was very, very sceptical at first but at least two scientists one in
Germany one in Manchester (UK) have found Cocaine and Nicotine in the ancient
mummified bodies.
 They have ruled out contamination (via the forensic hair test?)
This of course poses more questions that it answers.
The programe said that Nicotine could only come from tobacco found only  in
the "New World".
I don't think this is true. They have overlooked Betel Nut (?)which is
widely available in Africa.
But cocaine?
The South American Indians say the leaves are fairly useless after four weeks;
 so even if you could ship the leaves to Egypt 4000 years ago would there
be anything active left?
Are cocaine type compounds found in other plants (alcoholic extract of
some lotus???).
Can cocaine type compounds form from the decomposion of some other compound?
You must see this programme it is facinating
It is not Chariout if the Gods stuff


Michael Bailes,  The Fragrant Garden Portsmouth Road Erina. N.S.W. 2250
Australia.
Int fax 61 243 651979  Phone 61 243 677322
frgntgar@ozemail.com.au
Almost!? with a web page at:
http://www.ozemail.com.au/~frgntgar/
"If I could influence the fair sex,  there is one thing to which I would
draw their attention;   and that is Horticulture . . . I would recommend
them, as far as convenient, to become Florists, as this delightful and
healthy employment  . . . would entice them into the open air,  stimulate
them to exertion and draw them away from their sedentary modes of life,
mewed up in close rooms,  where they are confined like nuns."
Thomas Bewick , Memoir, 1822
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